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Revision Notes on Ellipse


	
The standard equation of ellipse with reference to its principal axis along the coordinate axis is given by x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1
	
In the standard equation, a >b and b2 = a2 (1-e2) Hence, the relation between a and b is a2 – b2 = a2e2, where ‘e’ is the eccentricity and 0 < e < 1.
	

	
The foci of the ellipse are S(ae, 0) and S’ = (-ae, 0)
	
	

	
Equations of the directrices are given by x = a/e and x = -a/e
	
	

	
The coordinates of vertices are A’ = (-a, 0) and A = (a,0)
	
	

	
The lengths of the major and minor axis are 2a and 2b respectively.
	
	

	
The length of latus rectum is 2b2/a = 2a(1-e2)
	
	

	
The sum of the focal distances of any pint on the ellipse is equal to the major axis. As a result, the distance of focus from the extremity of a minor axis is equal to semi major axis.
	
	

	
If a question does not mention the relation between a and b then by convention a is assumed to be greater than b i.e. a > b.
	
	

	
The point P(x1, y1) lies outside, inside or on the ellipse according as x12/a2 + y12/b2 – 1>< or = 0.
	
	

	
In parametric form, the equations x = a cos θ and y = b sin θ together represent the ellipse.
	
	

	
The line y = mx + c meets the ellipse x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1 in either two real, coincident or imaginary points according to whether c2 is < = or > a2m2 + b2
	
	

	
The equation y = mx + c is a tangent to the ellipse if c2 = a2m2+ b2
	
	

	
The equation of the chord of ellipse that joins two points with eccentric angles α and β is given byx/acos (α + β)/2 + y/b sin (α + β)/2 = cos (α - β)/2
	
	

	
The equation of tangent to the ellipse at the point (x1, y1) is given byxx1/a2 + yy1/b2 = 1
	
	

	
In parametric form, (xcosθ) /a + (ysinθ/b) is the tangent to the ellipse at the point (a cos θ a, b sin θ)
	
	

	
Equation of normal
	



	

	
Equation of normal at the point (x1,y1) is
	


a2x/x1 – b2y/y1 = a2- b2 = a2e2


	

	
Equation of normal at the point (a cos θ a, b sin θ) is ax secθ – by cosec θ = (a2-b2)
	
	

	
Equation of normal in terms of its slope ‘m’ is
	


y = mx – [(a2-b2)m /√a2+b2m2]


	

	
The equation of director circle is x2+ y2= a2 + b2  
	
	

	
The portion of the tangent to an ellipse between the point of contact and the directrix subtends a right angle at the corresponding focus.
	


The perpendiculars from the center upon all chords which join the ends of any particular diameters of the ellipse are of constant length.

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